Star Model Z84

The Star Z-84 was a Spanish selective-fire submachine gun originally manufactured by the now defunct Star Bonifacio Echeverria, S.A.^[1] The Z-84 is a sturdy, well-designed weapon that never saw high production due to politics. Originally manufactured for use by Combat Swimmers, the Z-84 could be used right out of the water without any need to drain the working parts or magazine, known as over-the-beach or OTB capability.

Star Z-84
Star Model Z-84, the "Corto" (shorter barrel) variant
Type	Submachine gun
Place of origin	Spain
Service history
In service	1980s–present
Used by	See Users
Wars	Iran–Iraq War
Production history
Designer	Eduardo Iraegui
Designed	1984
Manufacturer	Star Bonifacio Echeverria, S.A.
Produced	1984–present
Variants	See Variants
Specifications
Mass	Corto/Short barrel: 3.10 kg (6.8 lb) Largo/Standard barrel: 3.15 kg (6.9 lb) 25-round magazine: Empty: 0.22 kg (0.49 lb) Full: 0.532 kg (1.17 lb) 30-round magazine: Empty: 0.24 kg (0.53 lb) Full: 0.607 kg (1.34 lb)
Length	Largo/Standard: 465 mm (18.3 in) with stock retracted 670 mm (26 in) with stock extended Corto/Short: 410 mm (16 in) with stock retracted 615 mm (24.2 in) with stock extended
Barrel length	Largo/Standard barrel: 270 mm (11 in) Corto/Short barrel: 215 mm (8.5 in)
Cartridge	9×19mm Parabellum
Caliber	9mm
Action	Blowback-operated, open bolt, telescoping bolt
Rate of fire	600 rounds/min
Muzzle velocity	400 metres per second (1,300 ft/s)
Effective firing range	150–200m
Feed system	25/30-round detachable box magazine
Sights	Diopter-type iron sights

History

The Z-75 was Star's modern, 3rd generation, SMG chambered in 9mm Largo. It superficially resembled the UZI, and incorporated the modern features first seen on the Czechoslovak Sa vz. 23, such as an overhanging bolt, to reduce overall length.^[2] The receiver was of stamped steel, with a square-section bolt riding on rails internally. It fired from an open bolt in the same method as the earlier weapons used, and had the same 20 cm (7.85 in) barrel length. It weighed 2.6 kg (5.75 lb) unloaded.

The Z-75 was a commercial development project that led to the almost identical Z-84 and the Z-75 never went onto mass production.^[2]

Star S.A. developed the weapon after a successful run of submachine guns based on the German MP-40 design. Realizing they couldn't rebuild the same weapon over and over, they built the Z-84 completely from scratch using modern designs and engineering. Chief designer of Z-84 was Eduardo Iraegui.

At the time of the Z-84's design, Star was building and exporting large numbers of cheap handguns to the US. The 1994 Assault Weapons Ban (now repealed), banned the importation of many of their designs. This proved disastrous for Star and other Spanish gunmakers, and by 1996 had driven them into bankruptcy.

Development

The Z-84 is a 9mm Parabellum, blowback operated, selective-fire, capable of fully automatic firing, open bolt weapon which heavily derives from the Z-75. Having very few moving parts makes it a very simple weapon to operate and maintain. Made mostly of stamped and cast parts, little machining is needed to produce the weapon. It uses an "overhung" bolt meaning the bolt actually rides forward over the barrel for 3". This allows a shorter overall length while maintaining a long barrel for better accuracy. First pioneered in the Czechoslovak Sa vz. 23 submachine gun, the overhung bolt had become a fixture in many of today's modern designed SMGs, being employed in firearms such as the Israeli UZI and Italian Beretta M12.

A sturdy folding metal stock helps the weapon gain accuracy when fired from the shoulder, and has a safety switch on the trigger. The sights are protected by large steel ears and are adjustable; the rear sight is a diopter sight with 100 and 200 meter settings and the front is adjustable for windage and elevation.^[1]

Variants

There are two variants of the weapon:

1. "Corto", the short barrel version with 215 mm barrel, different iron sights (similar to that of CETME L) and was designed originally for Guardia Civil to fulfill their requirements.^[3]
2. "Largo", the standard version with the longer barrel, 270mm in length.^[3]

Users

•  Iran: IRGC and the Sepah Navy Special Forces.^[4] Reported to be produced with no license from Star.^[4]
•  Spain: UEBC combat diver group of the Spanish Navy.^[3]

Former Users

•  Malaysia: Formerly with the Royal Malaysian Police, now on display at the Police Museum.^[5]

Gallery

• 
  IRGCN frogmen mostly equipped with Z-84 submachine guns in an amphibious exercise of Great Prophet IX war games exercise.

See also

• List of submachine guns